Dekker Edward Gosselaar is the son of Mark-Paul Gosselaar and his wife, Catriona McGinn. His father Mark-Paul is famous for the role of Zack Morris in NBC’s sitcom, Saved By The Bell.
For Mark’s followers, his children are always the subject of curiosity. And people have wanted to know a thing or two about his kids since their birth. With Gosselaar, himself being a child actor, it’s pretty reasonable to wonder if his kids think about following in their father’s footsteps.
But the reality seems to be a bit opposite. Down in the content, we will discuss the full reasons why the case is so for Dekker Edward Gosselaar and all his siblings. Along the way, we will also know the fullest details regarding Dekker’s birth, his toddler phase, his relationship with his parents, and much more.
Dekker Edward Gosselaar’s Birth Details
Dekker Edward Gosselaar was born as the son of father Mark and mother Catriona on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013. Mark’s third and Catriona’s first child, Dekker, was born around noon in Los Angeles, California.
Dekker Edward Gosselaar with his father, Mark Paul Gosselaar and mother,Catriona McGinn. Source: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Prior to Edward’s birth, Gosselaar had hinted a bit about his name. Explaining the meaning behind Dekker’s name, the father had explained the name wasn’t going to be traditional and too quirky.
According to Think Baby Names, Dekker is the derivation of the Hebrew name Deker, which means piercing.
“It is different, but it’s not something odd.”
Mark and Catriona announced they were expecting Dekker just eight months after their wedding in Santa Ynez, Calif.
His Grand Parents Were Killed In The Holocaust
Dekker is of German and Dutch Jewish ancestry from his father’s side. His grandparents were among the unfortunates that suffered the plight of the holocaust during WWII.
His paternal great-great-grandparents, Hartog and Hester Gosselaar were murdered at the Sobibor extermination camp during the persecution acts of Nazi Germany. Edward also has a bit of Filipino ancestry from his father’s maternal side.
Dekker Edward Gosselaar has three siblings
He has one biological sister Lachlyn Hope Gosselaar. She was born three years after Dekker’s birth on February 17, 2015.
Dekker Edward Gosselaar (with a teddy) with his parents and siblings. Source: Instagram
In addition to Lachlyn, Dekker has two half-siblings, Michael Charles (born, January 31, 2004), and Ava Lorenn Gosselaar, born, 2006. Michael and Ava are through his dad’s marriage to his ex-wife, Lisa Ann Russell. They were married for 14 years.
His sister Lachlyn shares the same middle name as their mother Catriona.
He and His Siblings Share The Same Passion With Their Dad
Mark’s children including Dekker share a common passion with their celebrity father but it’s not for acting. Instead, the kids love to read books just like their dad did when he was a kid, himself.
With People in December 2020, Gosselaar said,
“My son always reaches for Where the Wild Things Are. I think he’s a little bit like Max, in the book. That’s his go-to book right now.”
His own childhood favorite was The Boy with the Red Balloon. The father recalls he wanted to be called Sebastian.
In the same interview, the actor also said Dekker and his sister aren’t getting younger siblings. When asked if the couple planned to add any more children to their clan, Gosselaar said that his brood is now done and complete.
Dekker Edward Gosselaar’s Mother is Highly Qualified
While not as famous as his father, Dekker’s mother owns an identity that is no short of experiences and skills.
While still in college, Edward’s mother, McGinn became an editorial manager for New Canadian Magazine. After working for two and a half years, she joined SparkNet Communications as its operation manager. In 2006 she began working for the Nielsen Company as a general manager. She would remain with the company for about 3 years and 7 months before becoming a business developer for Media Monitors.
Thereafter, McGinn provided her services to Social 5150, a social media agency.
Edwards’s mother next became the co-founder and director of sales and marketing of Paskal Lamour, New York, a company where she still works. She also has been an interior designer associate for Jeff Lewis Design since August 2015.
Catriona has also made appearances in 14 episodes of Bravo’s reality series, Flipping Out, and in three episodes of food-based television series, Dinner at Tiffani’s.
Dekker’s Father Doesn’t Want Their Children In The Entertainment Industry
In March 2021, while interviewing for People, Dekker’s old man revealed the realities of growing up in the entertainment business. He recalled the “rejections” he and his co-actors used to face and the incidents when they were treated like adults while they were still kids.
Mark also mentioned the pressure he used to feel while auditioning for roles. The 47-year-old despised the idea of thinking like an adult when one is still at an early age. Consequently, he thinks his kids are better off getting their hands into the show biz owing to the aforesaid reasons.
Nonetheless, the father of four rules that he will be supportive of his childrens’ decision to become an actor only when they turn 18. The actor said he would be more supportive once his kids turn 18.
Dekker Loves Monster Trucks
In an interview with Access in January 2019, Mark talked about Dekker’s love for monster trucks. The actor said his youngest son, has a huge love for gravediggers.
In fact, his father had to get out of a live Football game to take his son to the nearest monster truck event.
Dekker Edward Gosselaar (with a teddy) with his parents and siblings. Source: Instagram